Capsule-filling machines

Abstract

A mechanism for feeding fluid into capsules in a capsule-filling machine embodying a cam-controlled roller movable into and out of squeezing relation to a flexible feed tube, and movable along the tube in a fluid-ejecting direction when disposed in such squeezing relation to the tube, with tube shut off means and ejector nozzle positioning means operable in timed relation to the actuation of the roller.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a capsule-filling machine embodying means for holding a capsule body portion in position to receive fluid therein, a. a reservoir for holding a supply of such fluid.   b. a nozzle for feeding said fluid into a capsule body portion,   c. a flexible, resilient tubular member operatively connected between said reservoir and said nozzle for feeding such fluid there-between,   d. a drive shaft,   e. means for rotating said drive shaft,   f. means, including a cam mounted on said drive shaft, for pumping fluid through the tubular member from said reservoir to said nozzle,   g. means for moving said nozzle between   
     
     
       1. One position wherein it is disposed in operative position in said body portion, and 2. another position wherein it is disposed in outwardly spaced relation to said body portion,   h. said means for moving said nozzle comprising 1. a second cam mounted on said drive shaft and rotatable with said first mentioned cam, and   2. a cam follower connected to said nozzle and engaged with said second cam,     i. an abutment member 1. disposed between said pumping means and said nozzle, and   2. movable into and out of clamping engagement with said tubular member for closing and opening the latter, respectively,     j. means for moving said abutment member in timed relation to said pumping means, whereby 1. said abutment member is disposed out of said clamping engagement with said tubular member during pumping operation of said pumping means, and   2. said abutment member is disposed in said clamping engagement with said tubular member when said pumping means is not operating to pump fluid from said reservoir to said nozzle,     k. said means for moving said abutment member comprising a third cam mounted on said drive shaft and rotatable with said first mentioned cam and said second cam,   l. means for sensing whether a capsule body portion is disposed in said position to receive fluid therein, and   m. a solenoid operatively connected to said means for sensing, and controlled thereby, for rendering said abutment member inoperative to move out of said clamping engagement when a capsule body portion is not disposed in said position to receive fluid therein.   
     
     
       2. The combination defined in claim 1, and in which a. said means for moving said abutment member comprises 1. a third cam mounted on said drive shaft and rotatable with said first mentioned cam and said second cam for moving said abutment member into said clamping engagement with said tubular member, and   2. spring means operatively connected to said abutment member for yieldingly urging the latter out of said clamping engagement with said tubular member against the urging of said third cam.     
     
     
       3. In a capsule-filling machine embodying means for holding a capsule body portion in horizontally extending position for receiving fluid therein, a. a reservoir for holding a supply of such fluid,   b. an elongated nozzle for feeding such fluid into a capsule body portion,   c. stationary supporting means for slidably supporting said nozzle for longitudinal reciprocation in a horizontal direction,   d. a flexible, resilient tubular member operatively connected between said reservoir and said nozzle for feeding said fluid there-between,   e. a drive shaft,   f. means for rotating said drive shaft,   g. means, including a cam mounted on said drive shaft, for pumping fluid through the tubular member from said reservoir to said nozzle,   h. means for longitudinally moving said nozzle horizontally relative to said supporting means between 1. one position wherein it is disposed in operative position in said body portion, and     
     
     
       2. another position wherein it is disposed in outwardly spaced relation to said body portion, i. said means for moving said nozzle comprising 1. a second cam mounted on said drive shaft and rotatable with said first mentioned cam, and   2. a cam follower connected to said nozzle and engaged with said second cam,     j. an abutment member 1. disposed between said pumping means and said nozzle, and   2. movable into and out of clamping engagement with said tubular member for closing and opening the latter, respectively,     k. means for moving said abutment member in timed relation to said pumping means, whereby 1. said abutment member is disposed out of said clamping engagement with said tubular member during pumping operation of said pumping means, and   2. said abutment member is disposed in said clamping engagement with said tubular member when said pumping means is not operating to pump fluid from said reservoir to said nozzle,     l. said means for moving said abutment member comprising a third cam mounted on said drive shaft and rotatable with said first mentioned cam and said second cam.